Patent US3961142A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3961142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for automatically annunciating the completion of a telephone call hold interval
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-10-24
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Granted: 1976-06-01
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Expires: 1994-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is disclosed which serves to automatically indicate to one (local) party to a telephone call on a telecommunication line placed in a hold condition that the other (distant) party to such call has returned to the line thus completing a call hold interval and relieving the local party of the burden of waiting while continuously aurally monitoring the call throughout the call hold interval. The invention contemplates the automatic and electronic monitoring of the telephone line during the hold condition thereof to detect the presence of a voice signal thereon, such voice signal indicating the return of the distant party to the line. Upon detection of the voice signal, an annunciation signal is generated and provided the local party to the call to therefore signal the completion of a telephone call hold interval. In one of the preferred embodiments, this operation is achieved through the utilization of a modified key equipment "line card" for a conventional telephone communication system, such "line card" being provided in addition to the standard circuits with a voice detection circuit which is actuatable during a hold condition of the telephone line to effect a ringing of the bell and/or a flashing of the key switch lamp on its associated telephone upon the detection of voice signals. In this fashion, the party that was "placed on hold" can similarly place his telephone "on hold" through the manipulation of the hold key switch or button and be recalled to the telephone when the other party returns and speaks over the telephone line.
Inventors
- 👤 George S. Caffine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M9/00; H04M9/002; H04M9/005; H04M9/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for annunciating the completion of a call hold interval in a telephone communication system, said apparatus comprising in combination: hole detector circuit means automatically responsive to the presence of a call hold condition on a telephone communication line for providing a first audio detection signal; voice frequency detector circuit means responsive to the presence of an audio signal on said telephone communication line for providing a second detection signal; and logic circuit means for generating an annunciation signal only upon the concurrence of both said first and second detection signals; whereby the return of one party during a call hold condition of the telephone line to thus complete a call hold interval can be signalled to another party to the call.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for annunciating the completion of a call hold interval in a telephone communication system, said apparatus comprising in combination: hole detector circuit means automatically responsive to the presence of a call hold condition on a telephone communication line for providing a first audio detection signal; voice frequency detector circuit means responsive to the presence of an audio signal on said telephone communication line for providing a second detection signal; and logic circuit means for generating an annunciation signal only upon the concurrence of both said first and second detection signals; whereby the return of one party during a call hold condition of the telephone line to thus complete a call hold interval can be signalled to another party to the call.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said voice detector circuit means monitors the voltage across the "tip" and "ring" terminals of the telephone communication line to determine the presence of an audio signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said annunciation signal comprises an audible signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said annunciation signal comprises a visual signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said audio detector circuit means includes a threshold circuit for limiting the actuation of said detector circuit to voice frequency signals which exceed a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a key telephone line card, which line card is responsive to the state of a telephone call on a telephone line and the actuation of key switches on a multi-line push button telephone coupled to the telephone line to control and energize key switch lamps, to generate ringing signals for the bell of the telephone, and to selectively place such call in a hold condition by means of a hold circuit upon actuation of a hold key on the telephone, the improvement which comprises: detection circuit means provided on said line card responsive to the concurrence of a voice frequency signal on the telephone line during a hold condition to generate a trigger signal; and wherein said line card includes circuit means further responsive to said trigger signal to energize at least one of said bell and a key switch lamp of said telephone, whereby the termination of a call hold interval is annunciated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a key telephone line card, which line card is responsive to the state of a telephone call on a telephone line and the actuation of key switches on a multi-line push button telephone coupled to the telephone line to control and energize key switch lamps, to generate ringing signals for the bell of the telephone, and to selectively place such call in a hold condition by means of a hold circuit upon actuation of a hold key on the telephone, the improvement which comprises: detection circuit means provided on said line card responsive to the concurrence of a voice frequency signal on the telephone line during a hold condition to generate a trigger signal; and wherein said line card includes circuit means further responsive to said trigger signal to energize at least one of said bell and a key switch lamp of said telephone, whereby the termination of a call hold interval is annunciated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6, wherein said detection circuit means monitors the voltage across the "tip" and "ring" terminals of the telephone line during said hold condition to detect the occurrence of a voice frequency signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement as defined in claim 7, wherein said detection circuit further includes a threshold circuit for rejecting voice frequency signals below a predetermined minimum amplitude.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement as defined in claim 8, wherein said detection circuit further includes filter means for blocking D.C. signals on said "tip" and "ring" terminals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement as defined in claim 6, wherein said line card circuit means is responsive to said trigger signal to ring the bell on the telephone, and to effect a flashing of a key switch lamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement in a line card defined in claim 6, wherein said detection circuit means is responsive to a hold condition on the telephone line provided by the actuation of a hold key on the telephone of a distant party connected to said telephone line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement in a line card as defined in claim 6, wherein said detection circuit means is responsive to a hold condition on said telephone line provided by the actuation of a hold key on the telephone connected to said line card.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
The improvement in a line card as defined in claim 6, wherein said detection circuit means is responsive to a hold condition on said telephone line provided by both the actuation of a hold key on the telephone connected to said line card and the actuation of a hold key on the telephone of a distant party connected to said telephone line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-01 | 1979-12-01 | 1980-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-01 | 1983-12-01 | 1984-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-01 | 1987-12-01 | 1988-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |